Secure data destruction & erasure
These certifications apply to the software and their publishers, not SFDE.
Before reselling, recycling or destroying a device, the data must disappear. SFDE supports its clients across the full spectrum: software erasure to preserve hardware destined for reuse, or irreversible physical destruction for sensitive media. Every solution is traced, documented and aligned with GDPR requirements.
Today, data is worth more — and carries more risk — than the device that holds it. A forgotten SSD, a disk resold without erasure, a poorly destroyed backup tape: each is a major GDPR breach, exposing the company to sanctions, lasting reputational damage and loss of trust from clients and partners.
SFDE offers its clients four complementary solutions, tailored to the sensitivity of the medium and its future use: secure software erasure for equipment destined for reuse, industrial shredding, degaussing and mechanical crushing for irreversible physical destruction. The method is chosen with the client, based on confidentiality level, volume and operational constraints.
Whichever path is taken, every medium generates a timestamped per-serial attestation, digitally signed and archived for five years, handed to the client for internal or external audits. On request, the client attends the operation at our Persan (95) site or receives a timestamped video.
A measurable, provable, archived promise.
How we operate
Secure software erasure
When the equipment can be reused, SFDE favors software erasure: the data is fully wiped and the hardware returns to a second life. We rely on recognised professional software — Blancco Drive Eraser and Active@ KillDisk — to deliver a complete, verified wipe. Every erased medium yields a timestamped, per-serial attestation handed to the client and usable in any audit.
Industrial shredding of hard drives
For failing, encrypted or highly sensitive media, SFDE operates an industrial shredder that reduces hard drives to fine metallic fragments. The process is irreversible and complies with the particle-size thresholds expected by leading international standards. Every cycle is filmed and produces an auditable video, available on client request.
Degaussing of magnetic media
Degaussing exposes hard drives and magnetic tapes to a high-intensity electromagnetic field, stronger than their coercivity. Stored signals are wiped in seconds: the medium becomes instantly unreadable, even in a forensic lab. SFDE deploys this solution for Defense, Healthcare and Telecoms flows.
Mechanical hard-drive crushing
For simple, fast and visually verifiable physical destruction, SFDE uses hydraulic-piston crushers that snap each hard drive in two. The internal platters are deformed, making any read attempt impossible. This method is particularly suited to on-site operations at the client's premises, when destruction must take place under direct supervision.
« Erasing is documenting. Shredding, degaussing, crushing: that's proving. »
Every operation, backed by evidence handed to the client.
Blancco Drive Eraser and Active@ KillDisk, with a verified result on every drive.
Shredding, degaussing and mechanical crushing for non-erasable media.
One document per serial number, timestamped, handed to the client and archived for five years.
Our procedures meet personal-data erasure obligations.
Processing carried out in-house in Persan (95), under access control and CCTV.
Sealed at loading, weighed on arrival, Trackdéchets slips and a final report.
What happens to equipment once data is handled
Once the media have been processed, equipment follows the appropriate route: reuse when it remains technically usable, otherwise dismantling, separation of electronic boards and metals, then preparation for recovery.